First baseman Jake Shandri of Wartburg is a repeat winner for NCAA Division III Hitter of the Week, and no-hit hurler Xander Jones of Ohio Wesleyan has been named Pitcher of the Week for March 19-25, 2007, as chosen by representatives of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Shandri hit .684 (13-for-19) with four doubles, four home runs, 10 RBI and nine runs scored in five games during the week. He had a 1.526 slugging percentage and went 10-for-14 in a three-game sweep of Dubuque. In the first game against the Spartans, he was 3-for-6 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in the Knights' 4-3 win. In the second game of the series, the opener of a doubleheader won by Wartburg (12-6), he was 4-for-4 with three home runs, a double, seven RBI and four runs scored. In the nightcap, a 15-11 win, he was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Earlier in the week, he went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored as Wartburg was swept by St. Olaf (7-2, 5-4) in the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Shandri, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week, also won national honors Feb. 26-Mar. 4, the first honoree of the season.

Jones, fired a no-hitter to defeat Wittenberg 2-0, helping Ohio Wesleyan complete a sweep of a North Coast Athletic Conference West Division doubleheader on Sunday. Jones' no-hitter was the 10th in Ohio Wesleyan history and the first since Scott Oberschlake no-hit Defiance on March 23, 1994. Jones allowed one baserunner in the game, that coming on a leadoff walk in the second inning, and retired the last 18 batters he faced. He struck out six and walked one while facing only one batter over the minimum. He was the North Coast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.

Honorable Mention Hitters: Tom Rhein (Elmhurst) - .500 (11-22), 5 home runs, 8 runs, 17 RBI, 1.182 slugging pct.; Mitch Kuczek (Transylvania) - .619 (13-21), 3 doubles, 2 triples, 11 runs, 10 RBI, 5 steals, .952 slugging pct.; Josh Schultheis (St. Olaf) - .625 (10-16), 1 double, 1 home run, 5 runs, 4 RBI, .875 slugging pct.; Nick Fiorelli (Washington & Jefferson) - .667 (12-18), 1 double, 1 home run, 9 runs, 3 RBI, 2 steals, .889 slugging pct.; Cody Goodell (Olivet) - .4571(8-14), 2 doubles, 1 home run, 4 RBI, .929 slugging pct.; Neal Allar (Amherst) - .482 (14-29), 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 11 runs, 18 RBI, .931 slugging pct.; Steve Bralver (Emory) - .529 (9-17), 5 doubles, 1 triple, 6 runs, 12 RBI, 1.000 slugging pct.

Honorable Mention Pitchers: Jake Gasser (St. Norbert) - 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 14.0 ip, 2 cg, 5 hits, 6 strikeouts, no-hitter vs. Worcester State; Riley Bosch (St. Thomas MN) - 2-0, 0.51 ERA, 15.1 ip, 14 hits, 9 strikeouts; Fabian Gomez (Rockford) - 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 16.0 ip, 2 cg, 2 hits, 22 strikeouts; Will Chermak (Austin) - 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 6 hits, 14 strikeouts; Eric Smolin (Western New England) - 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 6 hits, 2 strikeouts; Jason Tomlinson (Muskingum) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 3 hits, 10 strikeouts

The St. Joseph's baseball team is off to a perfect start in 2007. Coach Will Sanborn is used to his team getting off to strong starts, but this year's team is just one win away from matching the best start in school history. Just six years ago Sanborn saw his 2001 team jump out to an 11-0 start and that team wound up leading the all NCAA divisions in team winning percentage as they finished the regular season with a 36-4 record.

"There are a lot of similarities between the 2001 team and our current squad. Both teams feature dominant offensive performers," said Sanborn. Sanborn notes a contrast in the styles of the two teams: "One difference is that the 2001 squad was known for sheer power, this team is a little more tailored for on-base percentage, running, and the ability to play the short game. However, I think both teams put together a great run at the start of the season because of strong defense and pitching."

The 2007 Monks have some punch in the lineup, featuring seven players with batting averages of .400 or higher, and three more player over .500. Junior catcher Andrew Wood has led the way with a .500 average, 3 doubles and a team high 13 RBI. Classmate Luke Enman has provided the power for SJC with a club leading 3 home runs on the young season to go with a .452 average and 11 RBI of his own. For all his teams, Sanborn stresses solid fundamental play. "We have focused on the running game this year and all our players one through nine, and the assistant coaches, can bunt."

First-year pitching coach J.P. Pyne was a senior captain during the 2001 season. "This year's staff is very deep and balanced. In '01 we only used nine pitchers, which is pretty amazing on its own. Especially when you consider that we have already used 14 different pitchers through 10 games this year." Last year's pitching staff featured 2006 All-American Charlie Furbush, who transferred over the summer to play at LSU and Jack Hughes who graduated last spring. "You don't just replace these guys," said Sanborn.

Stepping into some big shoes are freshmen Kyle Dorr and Andrew Keirstead who are both 2-0 with ERAs under two. Both Pyne and Sanborn praise the leadership qualties of Sam Tupper. "Sam Tupper does a great job leading this group. It's early, so it's tough for me to make comparisons, but I love the way we compete," said Pyne.

The bottom line is that both (this year's and the 2001) teams had the confidence needed to start the season off strong. Both also featured great balance, and the ability to find a way to win on any given day," summed up Sanborn. "2001 was a special team, everything went right, and we just kept winning. Obviously, I'd love to see that happen with this group." One quarter of the way through the season, the 2007 team appears to have the personnel to have an equally memorable campaign. Pyne concluded, "This group will make its own mark. St. Joe's baseball is full of tradition. 2001 is ancient history, it was a lot of fun, but it's the past."

Sanborn said that his unranked Monks "are the best-kept secret in Division III baseball." The secret is out and the future is looking bright for the current edition of the Royal Blue. The Monks resume their schedule on Friday when they travel to Mass-Dartmouth for a non-conference game.

There was a change of fortunes in the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division III Baseball Poll released on Monday. Preseason Number 1 ranked Otterbein (9-4) drops to 27th and formerly 15th-ranked Wooster (15-0) is the new No. 1 team in NCAA division III baseball.

Wooster and third-ranked Cortland State (13-0) are the only undefeated teams in the top 30. Sandwiched in between is second-ranked Chapman (19-3) who moves up from the third spot in the preseason poll. These top three teams split the first place votes with the Wooster, Cortland state receiving three and Chapman with two.

The last of the top ten resembles the bottom of the preseason poll as only one team was ranked in the top 15 in the preseason poll. 2007 University Athletic Association champions Emory (19-3), and previously unranked George Fox (18-1) complete the top five. Augustana (12-1), Kean (6-2), Salisbury (19-3), St Olaf 97-1) and Wheaton (6-5) round out the top ten.

Previous top ten-ranked teams, NC Wesleyan and Montclair State fell out of the newly released poll. Texas-Tyler (23-0) is ineligible for ranking as they are provisional member of Division III.

The complete poll and regional rankings can be found to the left by clicking on "ABCA Baseball Poll" under "News".

With a three game sweep of University of Puget Sound Loggers (9-10-1, 8-4), the George Fox Bruins opened a three game advantage over the rest of the conference this weekend. George Fox is now 18-1 overall, the Bruins' best record after 19 games, and 11-1 in the league.

On Saturday, Bo Thunell drove in six runs in the first game, including the game-winner in the 10th inning, and Chris Albrecht struck out 12 in eight innings of work in the second game, leading the George Fox University Bruins to 8-7 and 6-5 wins over the University of Puget Sound Loggers in a Northwest Conference baseball showdown between the league co-leaders at Morse Field.

Right-hander Preston Langeliers threw a complete-game shutout and designated hitter Matt Wyckoff broke out of a hitting slump with three hits and four runs batted in, propelling the George Fox University Bruins to a 7-0 win and a three-game series sweep of the University of Puget Sound Loggers in Northwest Conference baseball Sunday afternoon here at Morse Field.

The Bruins are led by Head Coach, Pat Bailey, who has compiled a 341-148 record in 12 seasons at George Fox. He was named NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year and West Region Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association for leading the Bruins to the 2004 NCAA West Region and World Series championships. He is a 7-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year.

The Bruins are dominating the conference statistics as well. They lead the Northwest conference in batting (.372 BA), pitching (2.52 ERA) and fielding (.981 FA). In adding to the overall play, several Bruins are having career years. Bryan Donohue (.518, 20 runs scored), Dan Wentzell (.464, 27 runs, 34 RBI, .826 SLG), and Daniel Downs (.405, 9 2b) are the top three batters midway through the conference schedule. Preston Langeliers (1.60, 5-0) and Nick Bratney (1.70, 5-0) are at the top of the individual pitching leaders.

Drew Johnson with has 14 stolen bases this season, became the all-time stolen base leader at George Fox with 75, surpassing Ryan Munoz (70, 1995-99) Johnson is moving up the list in several offensive categories as he is 1st in steal attempts (88), 2nd in sacrifices (26), 3rd in sacrifice flies (9), 6th in at bats (525), hits (185), and 7th in runs (143). Also moving up the lists with Johnson is Dan Wentzell. Wentzell ranks 3rd in hit by pitches (19), 4th in RBI (144), 5th in home runs (24), total bases (305), 6th in doubles (40), triples (6), and 7th in hits (183).

The Bruins visit Concordia University-Portland Wednesday for a non-conference game at 2 p.m. before going to Tacoma, Wash., Saturday and Sunday for a critical conference series against Pacific Lutheran University.

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois – The offense continues to click for the 16th ranked Augustana Vikings baseball team and the result was a 10-8 non-conference victory over Aurora on Sunday, March 25, 2007. For the fourth game in a row and the sixth time this season the 16th ranked Vikings scored in double digits, this time over an Aurora team that advanced to the NCAA Division III World Series a year ago.

Once again it was junior leadoff man Marc Blakeley who led the way. The speedy centerfielder was three for four with two runs scored and two runs-batted-in. After Aurora took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three run home run from first baseman Martin Diaz off Augustana starter Brandon Engle, Blakeley went to work. He homered off the Spartans' Jonathan Turek to lead off the bottom of the first. That is the third time in the last five games that Blakeley has led off the game with a round-tripper. It was his sixth home run of the season.

The Vikings got single runs in the second and third innings to tie the game 3-3 before Aurora touched Engle for two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Augustana broke through in the bottom of the fourth with a four run outburst. Myles Kurnick led off with a single and went to second on a balk. Tyler Anderson walked and Kurnick went to third and Anderson to second on a sacrifice bunt by Eric Izzo. Blakeley, who had doubled in a run in the second, was walked intentionally to load the bases. Mark Ramos singled home Kurnick and Don Hansen walked to bring in Anderson and tie the game at 5-5. Jake Meisenbach lined a double to left field to score Blakeley and Ramos to make it 7-5.

In the bottom of the sixth Blakeley singled for his third hit of the game and scored on Meisenbach's first home run of the season to make the score 9-5. Hansen hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to bump the advantage to 10-5 heading into the ninth.

Eric Knott had relieved Engle to start the sixth and he got into a little trouble in the ninth and allowed three runs. With one out and runners on first and second with the score 10-8, however, Knott picked Josh Damore off second base for the second out of the inning and got Martin Diaz, who had three hits and three RBI, to fly out to Blakeley to end the game.

Augustana, now 12-1 on the season, had nine hits in the game, including the home runs from Blakeley, Meisenbach and Hansen. In addition, Blakeley and Meisenbach had doubles. Blakeley had three this while Hansen and Meisenbach had two each while Meisenbach collected four RBI.

Engle worked the first five innings and picked up the victory to move his record to 3-0 on the season.

In their fourth game against a top 30 team, Cortland State scored five runs over the final three innings to erase a 1-0 deficit and 6th-ranked Red Dragons improved to 12-0 with a 5-1 victory over 10th-ranked Montclair State (7-5). This was the fourth time in the last five meetings that Cortland State defeated Montclair State and took over the the lead in the series, 9-8.

Montclair State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Michael Nunes led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Vicaro. Nunes then scored as Scott Evangelist singled up the middle against Cortland starter George Jweid for the game's first run.

Cortland tied the game at 1-1 in the seventh when Dan Maycock stole home on the front end of a first-and-third double steal with Steve Nickel. Anthony Coromato's RBI single gave the Red Dragons a 2-1 lead in the eighth. Coromato took second on the throw home and scored on a pinch-hit RBI single by John Giametta Jr. Giametta eventually scored on a wild pitch to put Cortland ahead 4-1, and his sacrifice fly in the ninth plated Gardner with the final run.

Nick Serio (1-0) earned his first collegiate victory with two and two-third innings ofhitless relief. He struck out six and walked one. Jweid started the game and allowed seven hits and one run in six and one-third innings. He struck out three and walked one. He allowed three hits and a run in the first inning before settling down.

Righthander Jairo Mendez (0-1) allowed seven hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings. Mendez fanned five and walked one.

Dan Maycock finished 3-for-4 and Andersen Gardner was 2-for-4 with two doubles for the Red Dragons. Andrew Vicaro and Lou Politan each had two hits for the Red Hawks. Scott Evangelist drove in the Red Hawks lone run with an RBI single.

St. Norbert College junior righthander Jake Gasser spun the Green Knights' first no-hitter since 1989 with a 3-0 blanking of Worcester State (Mass.) College March 23 in Port Charlotte, Fla. St. Norbert also took the nightcap 4-1 behind Tony Jandron's four-hitter.

Gasser needed just 59 pitches to beat the Lancers in the seven-inning contest. He struck out four with no walks and hit a batter. Only three Worcester State hitters reached base - one on the hit batsman and two on infield errors. The Lancers were only able to hit two balls out of the outfield, both to rightfielder Teddy Fleming.

The no-hitter is St. Norbert's first since John Hanmann spun one against Beloit College on April 15, 1989 at Mel Nicks Field in De Pere. It was also the second consecutive shutout for Gasser, who hasn't allowed a run in 14 innings pitched the season.

St. Norbert scored twice in the first inning on a John Maki two-run single to plate Adam Frost and Dan Weitzel. The Green Knights tacked on another un in the second when Frost's sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Brian Charles.

Center fielder Rob Sumner of New Jersey City University and righthander Jake Dennstedt of the State University of New York-Brockport have been named the NCAA Division III National Hitter of the Week and Pitcher of the Week for March 12-18, 2007, as chosen by representatives of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Sumner, a junior from Union, New Jersey, batted .560 (14-25) with 14 RBIs, 10 runs, five home runs and four doubles, while posting a .621 on-base percentage and a 1.320 slugging percentage. He also was 3-for-4 in steals and walked four times, while fielding at a 1.000 rate. He extended his hitting streak to 13 games dating back to last season. He opened NJCU's 3-3 week at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, FL, by going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, a double and a steal in the Knights' 8-2 win over Scranton. He was 2-for-4 with a run, steal and one RBI in a 10-7 loss to Haverford College. In a doubleheader with Illinois College, he was 1-for-3 with a double and one run and a steal in a 5-2 loss in game one. He led off game two of the twinbill with a homer, finishing 4-for-4 with three runs, two RBIs and a double in the Knights' 6-3 victory. In a 21-17 loss to Suffolk, he led off his second consecutive game with a home run. In a 14-7 win over Finlandia on March 15, he set a single-game school record when he launched three home runs, going 4-for-5 with seven RBIs, four runs and a double. Sumner earned both New Jersey Athletic Conference and New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Division II/III Player of the Week honors.

Dennstedt, a senior from Churchville, N.Y., went 2-0 with a 0.00 earned run average on the week. He started two games and pitched 13 scoreless innings, including a complete-game shutout in a win over Kean. He pitched six innings in a 6-1 win over Dickinson, allowing only one unearned run. In his two appearances, he struck out five and walked three. Dennstedt was named Pitcher of the Week in the SUNY Athletic Conference.

Honorable Mention Hitters:
Ben Einbinder (Haverford) - .592 (16-27), 6 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 13 runs, 16 RBI, 5 steals, 1.185 slugging pct.; Weston Franco (McMurry) - .500 (13-26), 4 doubles, 4 home runs, 15 runs, 12 RBI, 1.115 slugging pct.; Marc Blakely (Augustana) - .579 (11-19), 1 double, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 7 runs, 5 RBI, 1.053 slugging pct.; Jeremy Peters (Ithaca) - .567 (17-30), 3 doubles, 10 runs, 5 RBI, .667 slugging pct.; Dan Wentzell (George Fox ) - .438 (7-16), 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 runs, 11 RBI, 1.125 slugging pct.

Honorable Mention Pitchers: Brad Timofeev (Defiance) - 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 14.0 ip, 2 cg, 7 hits, 5 strikeouts; Bard Mountain (Eastern Nazarene) - 2-0, 1 save, 0.52 ERA, 17.1 ip, 8 hit, 17 strikeouts; R.B. Garza (Mary Hardin-Baylor) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 3 hits, 14 strikeouts; Justin Frost (Austin) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 3 hits, 1 strikeout.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.

2007 Winners:
Feb. 26-Mar. 4 - Hitter of the Week: Jake Shandri (Wartburg)
Pitcher of the Week: Bill Dictus (Edgewood)
Mar. 5-11 - Hitter of the Week: Pete Moore (Moravian)
Pitcher of the Week: Lee Boyse (Coe)
Mar. 12-18 - Hitter of the Week: Rob Sumner (New Jersey City)
Pitcher of the Week: Jake Dennstedt (SUNY-Brockport)